The U.S. Office of Inspector General is urging the Department of Homeland Security to have greater oversight and controls over money spent on conferences, both federal and nonfederal. According to testimony last week before the U.S. House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Management, Investigations, and Oversight, many of the recommendations in a November 2009 OIG report, including replacing live meeting with virtual events, are already in the works.

Here’s what OIG has to say about curbing and tracking meeting spend.

Never heard of Kuoni? You’re about to. On February 2, the company announced its purchase of the U.S. destination management operations of marketing and communications agency TBA Global (remember Safaris and PGI?).

A leading high-end leisure travel and tour operator based in Zurich, Kuoni has 66 DMC offices around the world but, until now, only one DMC in the U.S. Here’s the deal that will give them 67 new U.S.-based employees.

It’s a tough time to be a destination management company.

In several states, attempts to classify DMCs as “resellers”—which would result in the collection of sales taxes, including, in some cases, back taxes, penalties, and interest for up to 10 years—are being challenged by the DMC industry. But so far, only DMCs in Texas have been successful in getting their voices heard.

Here’s what’s making the DMC community nervous—and why meeting managers should care.

The Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International honored the best in travel advertising, public relations, and Web marketing at the annual Adrian Awards Gala, held February 1 at the New York Marriott Marquis. Many campaigns in the meetings and group categories, including those from a number of convention and visitors bureaus, were recognized in gold, silver, and bronze tiers.

Here’s a look at the winner’s circle at HSMAI’s star-studded awards gala.

The Religious Conference Management Association’s 2010 World Conference and Exposition in Fort Worth, Texas, included a gala on January 28 at the Fort Worth Convention Center. Here’s a slide show of RCMA’s finest, who gathered for a reception before the banquet.

That night, RCMA honored Jack Stone, district superintendent, Kentucky District, Church of the Nazarene, Hillview, Ky., with its President’s Award, which is given annually to an RCMA member who has given distinguished service to RCMA and the field of religious conference management.

Check this out: Here’s what I think may just be the best airplane paint job ever—or at least the most informative! Brought to you by face2face, the MeetingsNet blog.